, 1887-12-25
QUITE CURED.

Maj. Henderson was the most obstinate
man imaginable. For O whole hour
Lieut.. Napleson tried to convince him
that it was the hand and heart of Maude
Henderson for which he was pleading,
her comfortable little fortune being a
matter about which he was supremely in
ditrerent. At the expiration of the hour
Mai. Henderson's decision remained un-
changed.
Save a thousand pounds of your at
tachment to my niece, and l will give my
consent to your marriage with her.
Under nc other circumstance will / do
3d." This was the extent to which the
major would commit himself.
Save a thousand pounds indeedr Why,
a million would be equally possible to a
man of refined tastes with but a paltry
900 a year or so besides his pay.
Maude waylaid her lover outside the
library door. Very pretty she looked as
she listened to dear Jacks angry protes-
tations, her cheeks flushed, and her
brown eyes filed with tears.
you will be true to me, my darling?
pleaded the impecunious lieutenant, as
his arms stole around her waist and his
tawny mustache pressed her rosy lips.
True to him? Indeed and indeed she
would be.
"You know, dearest, you will be 81 in
a fortnight's time and your own mis-
tress. My sweet one will fly with her
poor loving Jack; won't she?"
"Yes"-rather obviously. 1t was hard
to put aside the prospect of being fol-
lowed to the altar by a bevy of daintily
arrayed bridesmaids, although she was
SO deeply in love.
True, sho would soon be of age, and
consequently her own mistress, but what
would hat fact avail her if she were
miles away from her lover? And such
indeed seemed likely to be the case, for
her uncle carried her off to a small vii
lage in North Wales the day after Lieut..
Mapleson had beer told of his fate. OF
course she left a note behind for dear
Jack" telling him the name of the vii
lage to which they were going. and earn
estly begging of him to do something, :"
although she could think of nothing prac-
teal to suggest.
On the morning Of her 21st birthday
Maude came down to breakfast looking
fresh and even n little happy. She had
honestly tried TO be miserable for n whole
fortnight, and had succeeded for two
days. With youth and health on ones
side it is almost impossible to be thor
oughly out of spirits for any length of
time, however much one may be expert
encing the truth of the proverb about
true love" etc.
The landlady's bright looking daughter
brought in the coffee and rolls. MRS.
Evans, opposite, has let her front rooms,
,,,,,, - ,In -p1,,ntaaraI ga onantlan,on
all by himself came and took them last
night"
A gentleman, and alone! Maude's
spirits rose. ''Did you happen to hear
Mrs. Evans say what her new ledger is
like? l suppose" added naughty, de-
ccitful Maude, ''he is an elderly gentle
man."
yes, miss, quite. He's a bit lame,
walks with a stick, and has a long gray
beard. His names Mr.. Browne"
Maude's spirits fell again. At breakfast,
however, she mentioned the new arrival
to her uncle.
Mai. Henderson was beginning to find
North Wales a little dull, so he listened
rather readily, thinking hat there might
perhaps be a prospect of having some one
with whom to smoke a friendly pipe.
III the COulSt VI biC hlOihIIS "hCI Ilt
uncle and niece were sitting in n of the
many beautiful glens in which the neigh
borhood abounds, Maude saw a bent fig
ure approaching, walking with a stick.
Il think, uncle, that must be Mr..
Browne, Mrs. Evans new lodger," she
said.
Her uncle looked up from his book.
''Out of health, l should say, was Maj.
Henderson's comment. ii doesn't
look old enough TO be SO infirm."
When the stranger came up to them
he paused and inquired the way to the
Swallow falls.
Maude started. That voice! Her uncle,
however, merely made courteous reply.
Evidently his suspicious were not
aroused.
Excuse me, " continued the stranger.
''but have l no the pleasure of address
ing one who is a neighbor for the time
being? l fancied I saw you come out of
Honeysuckle cottage this morning with
your daughter"
YES, Sir, you are right-at least my
niece and | are staying opposite to you"
your nieceI" and the stranger politely
raised his hat as he glanced at Maude.
MAY 1 inquire if you have been making
n long stay in the neighborhood? 1t is
the first time l have visited North Wales,
and | should be glad to know the prin-
cipal spots of interest in the immediate
vicinity. My health is so shattered that
/ cannot undertake long excursions"
This is the commencement of orr
third week., " replied the major. Like
yourself, we nave chosen rather to enjoy
the scenery within walking distance in
preference to travelling about by rail or
coach. Ny niece has been a little upset